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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough the precise cause of childhood schizophrenia isn't known, researchers have identified certain factors that may be related to the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia, including:
- Having a family history of schizophrenia
- Exposure to viruses while in the womb
- Malnutrition while in the womb
- Stressful early life circumstances
- Trauma or abuse during childhood
- Older paternal age
- Taking psychoactive drugs during adolescence
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia affects about 1 percent of the general population, and childhood schizophrenia affects a much smaller percentage. Early-onset schizophrenia occurs in children ages 13 to 18. Very early-onset schizophrenia occurs in children age 12 or younger.
- Masi G. Children with schizophrenia: Clinical picture and pharmacological treatment. CNS Drugs. 2006;20: 841.
- Minzenberg MJ, et al. Schizophrenia. In: Hales RE, et al, eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 7, 2008.
- Schizophrenia. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/complete-publication.shtml Accessed Oct. 27, 2008.
- Jibson MD, et al. Schizophrenia and related disorders. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2008.
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: Schizophrenia. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Oct. 30, 2008.
- Dyer JG, et al. Update on early intervention in schizophrenia. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing. 2008;46:19.
- Turkington D, et al. Cognitive behavior therapy for schizophrenia. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006;163:365.
- Treating schizophrenia. A quick reference guide. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
- Schultz SH, et al. Schizophrenia: A review. American Family Physician. 2007;75:1821.
- Kennedy E, et al. Antipsychotic medication for childhood-onset schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2007;33:1082.
- Ross R. New findings on antipsychotic use in children and adolescents with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;165: 1369.
- Frazier JA, et al. Treatment of early-onset schizophrenia spectrum disorders (TEOSS): Demographic and clinical characteristics. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007;46:979.
- Wall C. (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. Dec. 12, 2008.
- Treatment of patients with schizophrenia, Second Edition. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/. Accessed Dec. 9, 2008.
